NBA legends Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Michael Jordan, among others, are known for their multiple championship victories. While these players dominated the league during their careers, many dynasties have risen and fallen. However, some have etched their name in NBA history with their massive success in winning the championships.
The Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers are the only NBA franchises to win three or more straight championships. The Celtics have won a record eight straight NBA titles from 1959 to 1966, while the Bulls and Lakers have won three championships in a row. Here are the five NBA teams with the most championships in history.
5. San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs won the NBA championship five times in six NBA Finals appearances. The Western Conference side won the championship in 1992, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014 and lost the 2013 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat. Legendary NBA big man Tim Duncan was the only player who was part of the Spurs’ five-title run. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are the other Spurs legends to win the most championships, with four titles apiece.
4. Chicago Bulls
Like the San Antonio Spurs, the Chicago Bulls have players who have been part of their six championship runs. NBA great Michael Jordan and his legendary teammate Scottie Pippen were part of the Bulls for each title. The Bulls won the championship three-peat twice during 1991-1993 and 1996-1998. The Bulls, led by Jordan and Pippen, dominated the NBA in the 90s, winning all six Finals. Chicago has not appeared in the NBA Finals since their last victory.
3. Golden State Warriors
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The San Francisco-based Golden State Warriors have won the NBA championship seven times. The Philadelphia Warriors (1946-62) won the title twice, while the San Francisco Warriors (1962-71) lost the two Finals they played. After relocating to Golden State in 1971, the franchise won the championship in its fourth season.
Steve Kerr, who won five championships (4 with the Bulls and 1 with the Spurs), brought the winning formula to the Golden State Warriors. With Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, Kerr helped the team to win four championships. The Warriors won four titles in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022, with Kevin Durant part of the two victories.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
While some players helped the franchise become successful, the Los Angeles Lakers are among the teams that produced championship-winning legends. The Purple and Gold franchise has won 17 NBA titles, 15 with Los Angeles and 2 with Minneapolis. Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, and Magic Johnson are among the seven players who have won a record five championships with the Lakers. Four-time NBA champion LeBron James won his most recent title with the Lakers in 2020.
1. Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are the most successful NBA team, with 18 championships. The Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, won the championship last season after 16 years. With their victory against the Dallas Mavericks, the Celtics surpassed the Lakers to become the franchise with the most NBA titles. NBA Hall Of Famer Bill Russell has a major share with 11 championships in 13 seasons. The top eight players with the most NBA championships have won all their titles with the Celtics.
Apart from these five franchises, only six more NBA teams have won more than a single championship. The Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, and Miami Heat won three titles, while the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, and Milwaukee Bucks won two championships. With the 2024-25 season in full swing, the Celtics can further extend their record and become the first team since the Warriors in 2018 to win back-to-back NBA championships.
